The George E. Coleman, Sr. Planetarium at the University of North Georgia will be equipped with new projection gear when public shows resume Jan. 9.

The planetarium’s staff has acquired a “Digistar 5” projection system, high-resolution visual equipment which will allow observatory staff to depict the night sky from other planets in our solar system as well as planets orbiting distant stars. It will also allow iMax-type movies to be played on the planetarium dome.

The free public shows are presented each Friday evening at 8 p.m. when the university is in session. The facility is located on Sunset Drive on the school’s Dahlonega campus.